Creation

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God saw all he had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:1 and 1:31 (NIV)

The original of this design is 18 inches by 24 inches. When I was doing this design, initially I had no idea where it was going or what it was to represent. Then, when I was about 50% finished, it was revealed to me; Creation! The Biblical account of creation speaks of light, sky, land, an expanse between the waters, vegetation, trees with fruit, stars, living creatures, animals, and man. While I do not claim to have captured all of that in this one design, I find the colors, movement, and explosion of the various shapes helps me feel the majesty of God and brings me closer to Him and His creation.

Have you seen the video, “Indescribable” by Lou Giglio? If you have not seen this production, you really need to make it a must-see! Using photographs of the Universe to highlight his presentation, Lou really brings home to you the immense size of the Lord’s creation. As I wrote in my book, In The Beginning...The Art of Bob Spence, Lou introduced me to Psalm 33, verses 6 and 9: By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm. Yes, God’s greatness and creation are indeed indescribable!

So, what does this all mean for us in our daily lives in the marketplace? Let’s begin with Psalm 118:24. “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” How do you begin your day? With prayer? Reading Scripture? The Lord has given you this day. Now, what are you going to do with it? How about we try our best to walk as Jesus walked? Makes sense to me. In James 1:16-18 it is written; “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.” And what does James mean by the “word of truth?” The word of truth is Jesus! In this world of “social justice” and “group salvation” we must stand tall for the faith. And as Paul wrote to Timothy, 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed...” The Bible is the inerrant Word of God! Make sure your church is Bible-based and not one that is based on today’s society and its norms.

Love With The Spirit

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV Bible)


I’m not sure how to draw “love” on paper. I have felt loved, and have loved. But, those are feelings. When I look at this drawing it makes me feel love because of the colors; the inviting green leaves, the warmth of the red fruit, the shining streaks of orange, and the gentle coolness of the blue shades. The red ribbon, for me, symbolizes the Spirit pulling us all together in the spirit of the love of Christ Jesus, who first loved us. When I ask friends which of my many designs is their favorite, more times than not this design is chosen. When I ask why this design, usually I am told they like it because of the bright colors and they find it inviting and pleasant to study.

In Luke 10:27, it is written: “He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" I find myself really okay with the first part, but to be honest I have to say the second part is not always very easy. Paul wrote in Romans 13:10; “Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” And behind all this is Deuteronomy 6:5; “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Scripture is clear. Why do we have so much trouble following it?

One of my favorite Bible verses is Micah 6:8. “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Do you know the thirty year old hymn, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love?” It really goes hand-in-hand with Micah 6:8. For example some of the phrases are; we are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord; we will work with each other, we will work side by side; we will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand; and they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Wow! Talk about behavioral guidelines! Imagine a marketplace in which everyone lived like Jesus! As you go out into the marketplace, keep this in your thoughts - the evidence of the Lord Jesus is in us - now do what he commanded us to do; go out and tell people about Jesus while behaving as Jesus would expect of you.

Born Again

Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘you must be born again.’” John 3:5-7(NIV Bible)


This is one of my very first designs. If you look closely at this design, you will see sprouts coming from the base and then new sprouts coming from the original sprouts. Jesus was clear that we had to be born again of the water and Spirit. For me this design truly symbolizes the rebirth of us through the water and the spirit. When I started this adventure with the Lord, I chose this design as the signature piece for Adonai Art and it is now our logo. I saw this “art walk” as a new beginning in my relationship with the Lord.

In a letter to some friends, my Grandma Lola Spence wrote; “I have some real good news. I did want to wait to see you personally to tell you, but I can’t wait any longer. I was born again on October 26, 1947. It’s the most marvelous thing that has ever happened to me and I am getting happier all the time. I have given God the first and best place in my heart and I feel that is what I have wanted all my life.” You can feel her excitement through these written words.

In 1 Peter 1:23, it is written; "For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." Having been born of water and the spirit, and having eternal life, we Christians ought to be like Jesus in all of our dealings with others. We have been distinguished by the sovereign grace of God, chosen from among all others, and not left to wallow in the pit. We are not to live like the “citizens of this world” but to be a light for others, clinging to the holiness of our Lord, Jesus Christ. At all times we are to avoid evil, even the very appearance of evil.

What does this tell us about our behavior in the marketplace? In our business dealings? In our relationships? With our friends and family members? As a born again Christian, born of water and the spirit, you are to be like Jesus and remember, you just might be the only Jesus someone sees today.

Hope In the Spirit

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV Bible)

At first glance this design might appear whimsical and free-flowing without any sense of direction. As I worked on the design, I really felt a sense of peace and a strong sense of hope. At the time I did this design, business was really down. I could have been down or discouraged, but the Spirit pushed me and guided my pens. This free flowing design with multiple colors illustrates how our hearts are to be open and not anxious, but focusing on the cross and allowing the Holy Spirit to consume us. As you look at the design, open your heart and let the power of the Holy Spirit overflow and fill you with truth and the joy of Christ!

It is written in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” What has happened to this nation? Our hearts have turned away from the Lord. It amazes me how people have recently placed their faith and hope in arrogant politicians, who see themselves as perfect. Do they not know that joy, hope, peace and love come from the Lord and not from political figureheads? We must not fear or be anxious, but trust in the Lord.

As Christians in the marketplace we must not, we cannot be silent! In the Gospel of John, Chapter 17, verses 17-19, Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” The world tells us Christians we must be tolerant, but what the world really means is we must capitulate to the ways of the world. In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 10, verses 32-33, Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.” Simply stated, that means we stand up and speak for Jesus and we walk and talk as he did. We must not cower in fear or worry about being politically correct. While our political leaders have disowned Christ, I shall rise up and declare from the mountain tops that Jesus is Lord; the way, the light, and the truth! Where are you?